AIRLINE passengers screamed in terror as an accountant got drunk and stormed the cockpit of a plane at 30,000 feet.

AIRLINE passengers screamed in terror as an accountant got drunk and stormed the cockpit of a plane at 30,000 feet.

John Swindells, 45, insisted ''I know the captain'' and forced his way in after staff refused to serve him any alcohol.

Swindells had got drunk on Amstel lager at the end of a make-or-break holiday in Crete with his wife and two children.

He abused a male pursor and said: ''I will lose you your job - you don't know who I am, do you.'' Despite his daughter begging: ''Daddy I'll stop crying if you sit down and be quiet until we land'', Swindells forced his way into the cockpit.

Swindells had to be restrained by staff and strapped in a seat. As the plane neared Manchester Airport he then curled up in a ball and began sobbing before going to sleep. At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Swindells, of Greasby Road, Greasby, Wirral, admitted affray and was given a six month jail term suspended for two years.

Mr Gordon Bellis, defending, said Swindells had turned to drink after the death of his father and his life had been on a downward spiral. His wife was divorcing him and he had hoped the holiday would lead to a reconciliation.